Correction: wine fest that benefits mentally ill is next Friday

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the event is next Friday.

Attempting to sample wine from 13 Missouri winemakers might seem an impossible task for one evening, but next Friday night you can do just that at the Bavarian Halle in Jackson.

The 11th annual Community Benefit Wine Festival will collect 13 local Missouri wineries under one roof, including Hunter Valley Winery in Cape Girardeau, Fusion Wines in Sedgewickville and Twin Oaks Vineyard in Farmington. The event will also have hors d'oeuvres donated by 35 local restaurants, live music by Pat Schwent and Saxy Jazz and hourly door prizes. Proceeds benefit the Community Counseling Center Foundation. The foundation helps fund the not-for-profit Community Counseling Center, which provides comprehensive mental health services in five Southeast Missouri counties.

"We want everyone to come out and have a great time, all while giving us some much-needed help," said Larry Essner, executive director for the foundation. "We'll have some of the best wines made in our area, and they'll be in the same place. The food and the music will just add to that."

The event, scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m., is expected to draw around 500 attendees. It is one of three annual fundraisers for the foundation, and Essner says funding is needed more than ever.

Steve Bricknell pours a glass of wine at the recently opened Rothbrick Winery in Jackson. (Southeast Missourian file photo)

"The center just does so much for people, and we could do so much more," said Essner. "With cuts in medical programs, the center needs that funding from the foundation. Without it, we might not be able to meet the needs of our mentally ill population."

Funding from the foundation is put toward everything from copiers to a new 10-unit apartment complex for mentally ill people who are permanently disabled. With several locations in Southeast Missouri, the center serves Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Madison, Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties. It offers mental health services, counseling, psychiatric services and a group home that helps people transition from hospital stays to living on their own.

"We want people to learn about the services we provide in treating mental illness without having the stigma get in the way," said Tim Schwent, the center's director of administration and finance. "So we want everyone to get out here and have a good time at the festival. That's why we do this."

Tickets to the festival are $40 at the door or $35 in advance at Community Counseling Center offices and Bank of Missouri, US Bank and Capaha Bank locations.

jsamons@semissourian.com

Terry Steele pours a taste of cranberry wine April 1 at Steele Crest Winery in Jackson. (Laura Simon)

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